Lillis Ó Laoire is a native of Gort A’ Choirce (Gortahork) Co. Donegal. From his youth, he knew Seán Ó hEochaidh (1913-2002) as a family friend and spent many days and evenings talking to Seán in McFadden’s Hotel, his own family’s business. Currently resident in Galway, he is responsible for Folklore Studies in the Discipline of Irish and Celtic Civilisation in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at NUI Galway. He is an award-winning author and traditional singer, having published On a Rock in the Middle of the Ocean: Songs and Singers in Tory island (Galway 2007) among other works. He has also lectured and performed internationally. He is editing Ó hEochaidh’s diaries for publication.
